Knitting mechanism



J. s. Moss 2,333,667

KNITTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 29, 1942 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Nov. 9, 1943.

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Nov. 9, 1943. J. 5. Moss KNITTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 29, 1942 Patented Nov. 9, 1943 T KNITTING MECHANISM Jacob S. Moss, Laconia, N. H., assignor to Scott a Williams, Incorporated, Laconia, N. H., a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 20, 1942, Serial No. 460,076

12 Claims.

This invention relates to knitting mechanism, and has particular reference to an improved type of sinker.

When sinkers of conventional shape, suitably reduced in gauge, are used in fine gauge knitting machines provided with latch needles, difiiculties arise, which are not particularly apparent in coarser gauge machines, due to the rubbing of the spoons of the needle latches on the sinkers.

This rubbing does no harm to the sinkers, but,

has two detrimental effects on the needles and their action. First, in fine gauge machines, the spoons of the needles are very small and continuous rubbing which generally occurs consistently on one side of the latch will rapidly wear away the side of a spoon, leaving a sharp edge which will cause a fraying of the yarn. This fraying is minor from a quantitative standpoint and is not at all likely to efiect any complete severance of the yarn, but the slight fuzz which is raised by this action, being repeated in the loops of a particular wale, will, in a quite sheer stocking, produce the appearance of a flaw in the form of a vertical line.

Secondly, the slight friction resulting from the rubbing applied at the outer end of the latch will result in the drawing of slightly larger loops, which will also give the appearance of a vertical line running along the stocking.

While theoretically the latches in a latch needle machine will swing freely in the space between the adjacent sinkers, and this result can be achieved in coarser gauge machines, it becomes very difficult in fine gauge machines to achieve a sufficient accuracy of construction of the various parts to insure that rubbing does not occur, particularly in view of the slight lateral flexure of the needles arising due to the strains thereon imposed during the handling of the yarn. If the cylinder slots are not precisely radial, or there is some play of a needle in its slot, or because the slot in the needle within which the latch pivots is not radial, a sufiicient lateral displacement of the spoon of the latch during opening and closing operations may occur to produce the wear and friction referred to.

In accordance with the present invention, the

. sinkers are so constructed as to avoid the possibility of contact of the latch spoons therewith vduring substantially the complete critical periods when swinging of the latches is taking place.

This object of the invention, as well as others particularly relating to details, will become ap- Figure 2 is a somewhat similar view of a modification particularly designed to illustrate the relative movements of a needle latch and sinker during lowering of the needle; and

Fi ure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing conditions during the raising of a needle.

Referring first to Figure 1, which shows certain details of construction of a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is indicated at 2 the cylinder of a circular knitting machine of conventional type, provided with axially extending external slots 4 within which there reciprocate needles 6, each of which is provided with a hook 8 and a latch l0 pivoted at I2, within a slot in the needle. This needle is of conventional form, the latch being provided at its outer end with the usual spoon adapted to'overlap the hook 8, which enters a slight depression in the spoon.

The conventional sinker dial carried by the needle cylinder is indicated at M, being associated with a sinker cap I6 carrying conventional cams for acting upon the butts 20 of sinkers l8, sliding in radial slots in the sinker dial and being also guided in radial slots in the inside sinker ring 22 which, in the present instance, carries an auxiliary ring 24 to provide a groove 26 for the reception of portion 28 of each sinker IS, the inwardly extending flange of the ring 24 being received within slots provided betweenportions 28 and 30 of the sinkers. The slotted walls of the sinker ring 22 are indicated at 3| and serve to provide firm support for the inner ends of the sinkers and backing for the needles 6. The auxiliary ring 24 is preferably threaded to the ring 22 as indicated at 23, its final position being accurately fixed by the use of a washer 25 of a proper thickness against which it is tightened by the use of a spanner wrench entering holes 21.

Each of the sinkers is provided with a con- Ventional ledge 32 arranged to arrest the yarn during the drawing of loops and a hook 34 which provides a throat within which the yarn is held during upward movements of the needles to cast loops ofi their latches. In sinkers of conventional type, the sinker behind, or outwardly of, the hook, is of substantial vertical height, its upper edge extending approximately as high as the ledge 32.

In accordance with the present invention, the portion of the sinker behind the hook 34 is cut away as illustrated in Figure 1 along the lines 35 and 36, leaving a hump 31- about which is placed a spring band 39 as is conventional in Scott and Williams machines, for example as shown in Scott Patent 1,467,691. Briefly stated, the cut away portion of the sinker comprises that region which would normally be opposite the spoon of the needle latch during its opening and closing movements. The particular shape of this cut away portion is not important so long as it includes substantial parts of the arcs of swing of the latch spoon, which means that it includes a region approximately concentric with a point in the throat of the hook and extending forwardly beyond the rearmost portion of the hook. The region which is absent corresponds to that which will be described more fully following a brief reference to the construction involved in the modiflcation of Figures 2 and 3.

In this second modification, a somewhat dif-.

ferent shape of sinker is indicated at38 associated with the same type of sinker dial and sinker cap as has been described in connection with Figure l, but cooperating with a. somewhat different type of inner sinker ring 40 secured in conventional fashion to the upper end of the needle cylinder. The inner sinker ring 40 is slotted as indicated at 42 for the guidance of the inner ends of the sinkers, and serves to hold them against vertical movement by reason of the projection of its flange 44 within the slots provided above portions 46 of the sinkers. The sinkers are provided in conventional fashion with butts 48 adapted to be acted upon by cams carried by the sinker cap.

In this modification, the sinker is provided with the ledge 50 for enga ement by the yarn and the hook 52. A needle is illustrated in its intermediate position in each of Figures 2 and 3 at 54, being provided with a hook B and a latch 58 carrying a spoon 60, the latch being pivoted at 62.

In Figure 2 there is illustrated the successive positions occupied by the latch of the needle as the needle is being drawn down relative to the sinker and the yarn Y supported on the ledge 50. The sinker may have slight radial movement during this movement of the needle, but since the completion of the swing of the latch is very rapid compared to any movement which may be imparted to the sinker, it will sufllce to regard the sinker as stationary during the flipping up of the latch by the yarn loop as the needle descends. When the needle is in its highest position which is of interest in this connection, the latch will occupy a position such as illustrated at 64. At this time, it will be between existing portions of the adjacent sinkers, so that if laterally moved it might engage. one of them. It will be noted, however, that when in the position 64, not only is the spoon quite close to the shank of the needle about which angular deflection might occur in the case of inaccuracy of construction, but also a substantial portion of the latch between its pivot and spoon is sunk into the slot 66 in the needle, with the result that it is restrained against lateral movement. As a consequence, under these conditions it is very unlikely that in a carefully constructed machine with proper needles there would be suflicient angular deflection of the needle about its shank, or freedom of movement of the latch within the needle slot, to permit the spoon to engage the sinker.

As the needle drops from this position, it will be noted that almost immediately, and before substantial angular movement can take place, the spoon of the latch will move opposite the cut away portion of the sinker, and during itssubsequent movements will move through a path which will not bring it opposite any remaining portion of the sinker. Of course, when the latch ultimately reaches closed position and the needle descends, the spoon of the latch will be drawn past the portion of the sinker below the ledge 50, but at this time, no swinging of the latch is ocillustrated in that figure, the sinker now being in' an inner position and again undergoing, if any movement, only a movement of negligible extentduring the short interval within which flipping of. the needle latch takes place. It will again be evident that the spoon of the latch moves in a path opposite cut away portions of the sinker. It is because of the difference in position of the sinker during the upward and downward movements of the needle that the region which is cut away to clear the spoon must have substantial radial extent.

It will be understood that where reference is made to a portion of thesinker bein cut away, it is not to be implied that a sinker of conventional form is first manufactured and then subjected to an operation removing a portion thereof, the term being used to indicate the absence of material from a portion of a sinker which is conventionally present in prior types. The sinker is, of course, formed in conventional fashion by a single stamping operation from sheet stock followed by conventional polishing operations. The inner portion of the sinkers may be thinner than the outer body portions in correspondence with conventional practice.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a knitting machine, independently movable latch needles, and independently movable sinkers cooperating with the needles for the formation of stitches, each of said sinkers comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn during the drawing of loops, a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, and a butt located rearwardly of said hook for cam actuation of said sinker, said sinker behind said hook being cut away throughout substantially the region adjacent to the paths of the outer portion of a needle latch during opening and closing movements thereof under the action of yarn extending across the needle at approximately the level of said throat.

2. In a knitting machine, independently movable latch needles, and independently movable sinkers cooperating with the needles for the formation of stitches, each of said sinkers comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn during the drawing of loops, a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, and a portion extending rearwardly of said hook and serving for actuation of the sinker, said sinker being cut away throughout substantially the region adjacent to the paths of the outer portion of a needle latch during opening and closing movements thereof under the action of yarn extending across the needle at approximately the level of said throat.

3. In a knitting machine, independently movable latch needles, and independently movable sinkers cooperating with the needles for the formation of stitches, each of said sinkers comprising a. ledge arranged to hold yarn during the drawing o ps, a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which .varn

may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, and a portion extending rearwardly of said hook and serving for actuation of the sinker, said sinkers being cut away throughout substantially the region adjacent to the path of the outer portion of a needle latch during its opening movements under the action of yarn extending across the needle at approximately the level of said throat.

4. In a knitting machine, independently movable latch needles, and independently movable sinkers cooperating with the needles for the formation of stitches, each of said sinkers comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn during the drawing of loops, a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, and a portion extendin rearwardly of said hook and serving for actuation of the sinker, said sinkers being cut away throughout substantially the region adjacent to the path of the outer portion of a needle latch during its closing movements under the action of yarn extending across the needle at approximately the level of said throat.

5. In a knitting machine, independently movable latch needles, and independently movable sinkers cooperating with the needles for the formation of stitches, each of said sinkers comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn during the drawing of loops, and. a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, said sinker being cut away throughout substantially the region adjacent to the path of the outer portion of a needle latch during its closing movements under the action of yarn extending across the needle at approximately the level of said throat.

6. In a knitting machine, indep'endentlymovable latch needles, and independently movable sinkers cooperating with the needles for the formation ofstitches, each of said sinkers comprising a ledge arranged to drawing of loops, and a hook located rearwardly of said-ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, said sinker being cut away throughout substantially the region adjacent to the paths of the outer portion of a needle latch during opening and closing movements thereof under the action of yarn extending across the needle at approximately the level of said throat.

7. A sinker adapted for use in a knitting machine in association with latch needles comprising a ledge arranged to hold yam during the drawing of loops, a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, and a butt located rearwardly of said hook for cam actuation of said sinker, said sinker being'cut away behind said hook throughout a region approximately concentric with a point in the throat of said hook and extending forwardly beyond the rearmost portion oi said hook, the region being that adjacent to the paths of the outer portion of a needle latch during opening and closing movements thereof.

8. A sinker adapted for use in a knitting machine in association with latch needles comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn during the hold yarn during the drawing of loops, a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, and a portion extending rearwardly of said hook and serving for actuation of the sinker, said sinker being cut away behind said hook throughout a regionapproximately concentric with a, point in the throat of said hook and extending forwardly beyond the rearmost portion of said hook, the region being that adjacent to the paths of the outer portion of a needle latch during opening and closing movements thereof.

9. A sinker adapted for use in a knitting machine in association with latch needles comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn during the drawing of loops, a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, and a portion extendin rearwardly of said hook and serving for actuation of the sinker, said sinker being cut away behind said hook throughout a region approximately con centric with a point in the throat of said hook and extending forwardly beyond the rearmost portion of said hook, the region being that adjacent to the path of the outer portion of a needle latch during its opening movements.

10. A sinker adapted for use in a knitting machine in association with latch needles comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn dining the drawing of loops, a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yam may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, and a-portion extending rearwardly of said hook and serving for actuation of the sinker, said sinker being cut away behind said hook throughout a, region approximately concentric with a point in the throat of said hook and extending forwardly beyond the rearmost portion of said hook, the region being that adjacent to the path of the outer portion of a needle latch during its closing movements.

11. A sinker adapted for use in a knittin machine in association with latch needles comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn during the drawing oi. loops, and a hook Iocated rearwardly or said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to tree their latches or loops, said sinker being cut away behind said hook throughout a region approximately concentric with a point in the throat of said hook and extending forwardly beyond the rearmost portion of said hook, the region being that adjacent to the path of the outer portion of a needle latch during its closing movements.

12. A sinker adapted for use in a knitting machine in association with latch needles comprising a ledge arranged to hold yarn during the drawing of loops, and a hook located rearwardly of said ledge providing a throat within which yarn may be held during movements of needles to free their latches of loops, said sinker being cut away behind said hook throughout a region approximately concentric with a point in the throat of said hook and extending forwardly beyond the rearmost portion of said hook, the region being that adjacent to the paths oi the outer portion of a needle ing movements thereof.

. JACOB S. MOSS.

latch during opening and clos- 

